Collecting mechanism for cigarettes and other rod-shaped articles



July 15, 1952 D. w. MOLINS ErAL 2,603,395

COLLECTING MECHANISM FOR CIGARETTES AND OTHER'ROD SHAPED ARTICLES 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 22. 1949 y 1952 D. w. MIOLINS ET AL COLLECTINGMECHANISM FOR CIGARETTE'S AND OTHER ROD SHAPED ARTICLES Filed July 22,1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 n F n. AH L W July 15, 1952 D. w. MOLINS ET ALCC'L'LECTING MECHANISM FOR CIGARETTES AND OTHER ROD SHAPED ARTICLES 3Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 22, 1949 v Mug INVENTOP ML), 5 Nazvu, WW

. in section.

the fioor by screw jacks 9.

movement swings or slews a carriage about said fulcrum.

Means may be provided for stopping the conveyors should the supply ofcigarettes fail.

One way of carrying the invention into efiect will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a frontelevation of cigarette collecting mechanism constructed according to theinvention,- with a few parts in section.

Figure 2 is a plan of Figure 1 certain driving devices and cigarettefeeding arrangements being omitted.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of Figure 1 looking in the direction of thearrow A, a few parts being Figure 4 is a plan of part of Figure 1showing the driving devices omitted from Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings the mechanism comprises an endless chainconveyor I having two parallel straight runs, see Figure 2, and passingaround sprocket wheels 2 and 3 at the ends of said runs. The sprocketwheels are fixed to vertical spindles 4 and 5 journalled in suitablebear ing brackets 6 and 1, Figure 1, which are fixed to a baseplate 8which may rest on the fioor or, as shown, may be adjustably supportedfrom The conveyor is driven by a ratchet Wheel I0, Figure 3, fixed tothe spindle 5 of the sprocket wheel 3 and rotated by an oscillatingdouble pawl H, see also Figure 4, (not shown) being also provided. Thedriving pawl II is pivoted on an arm l3 of a double-armed lever, thepivot [5 of the lever being fixed to the baseplate 8. The other arm I4of the double-armed lever is pivoted to one end of a connecting rod I6which is pivoted at its other end to cam lever ll. The lever I7 ispivoted to the baseplate 8 and has a roller 18 at its end which engagesa cam is. The cam is fixed on a shaft 2| supported in hearings on thebaseplate}! and having a sprocket wheel 22 fixed on it, which is drivenby a chain (not shown) from the cigarette machine to which thecollecting mechanism is attached. A spring returns the connecting rodl6. Thus as the cigarette machine runs the conveyor is intermittentlydriven. This is a convenient arrangement but an independent motor mightbe used or continuous drive by gearing from the shaft 2| or the motormight be employed.

Above the conveyor thereis fixed a conveyor track, generally indicatedby the reference 23, which is supported by brackets24 from the baseplate8 and will now be described. At either side of each run of the conveyor,see Figures2 and 3, and equally spaced from said run is an angle iron orlike member 25 and 26 respectively, one limb of a member being fixed tothe aforesaid bracket 24 and the other projecting upwards, thearrangement being such that the two angles form a channel shaped guidealong each conveyor run. The inner angl members '26 each terminate at aposition some distance before the neighbouring sprocket wheel isreached, see Figure 2, but a continuation of the horizontal surface ofsaid members is provided, by plates 2! and 28 fixed to the top of theneighbouring support brackets 24 extending lengthwise and laterally asshown. The outer angle members 25v are longer and each extends someinches beyond the sprocket wheel centres and joins Platforms, 30 and 3|respectively whose surfaces are at the same level as that of those limbsof the angles 25 and 26 which are fixed to the support brack- 4 ets.Each platform has a rim 32 and 33 respectively whose height is the sameas that of the vertical limbs of the angle members and thus these rimsform a continuation of the outer angle member limbs 25. The platformrims are shaped as shown in Figure 2. The purpose of the plates 2'! and28 and the platforms 30 and 3| and rims 32 and 33 is to assist inswitching and reversing carriages which are moved over the track by theconveyor. To the platforms there are fixed switching members 34 and 35respectively so shaped (e. g. concave) that a foot 31 of a carriagedescribed below will pivot on it, the switching member acting as afulcrum.

The carriages generally indicated by the reference 36 which are movedover the conveyor track are of substantially rectangular oblong shape inplan, at least as regards the base thereof, and on a straight run theoblong extends lengthwise along the conveyor track. Each carriage haseight small circular studs or feet 31 having a convex base, on which thecarriage rides on the track. At the centre of the carriage base is anapertured member 38 and at equal spaces along the conveyor chain aredisposed rounded pegs 39 adapted to enter the aperture in the carriagemember 38 and drag the carriage over the track. On the straight runwhich is the lower in Figure 2 the carriage moves in a straight line inthe direction of the arrow, Figure 2, being guided by its feet 31 andthe anglemembers 25 and 26 but as it approaches the end of said straightrun the outer leading foot is guided by the platform rim at the righthand end, Figure 2, until it encountersthe switching member 35. This isso disposed relatively to the neighbouring sprocket wheel 3 that thechain moves round the wheel and the centre of the carriage conforms tothe movement but as the leading outer corner of the carriage is arrestedthe carriage slews round on this corner, the switching member acting asa fulcrum and on'further vmovement the former rear end of the carriageadvances on to the other straight run of the conveyor track and thecarriage proceeds along this run with its former rear end leading, seeupper arrow in Figure. 2, and the arrested corner is drawn awayfrom theswitching member. The filling run is in the direction of the lower arrowFigur 2. As during the switching movement the rear of a carriage swingstowards the line joining the sprocket wheel centres the inner angleguides 26 terminate at the positions formerly described to allow thecarriage to move over on the aforesaid continuation of the horizontalsurface formed -by:the plate 28. The leading end of the carriage (justbefore reversal) is well supported by the platform 3| and the rear innerstud 3! slides over the plate 28 from one guide 26 to the other and-sotransition from one run to the other is smooth and easy. At the otherendof the track themovement is repeated. The upper side of a carriage formsa platform on which are supported two trays or receptacles 40(fora-double row catcher band) into which cigarettes are-fed as will nowbe explained. a

One straight run of the conveyor lies vertically below the centre lineof the catcher band of the cigarette machine. :Feeding devices such forexample as hose described in British patent specification No. 549,877which are here indicated by the reference 4 tare provided with suitablemeans 4243;for guiding the cigarettesinto the trays so that as thelatter passbeneath the end of the band they become filled; 1

I sacas mo sn h mass nietalslots ;;(e. g; brass), are fixed. Thispro-'vid'es a.very",satisfactory guide asthe part 43 straightens thecigarettes where necessary so I thatthey lieproperly in the; tray.

' As the'outp'utoif' the cigarette machine is continuousitis necessarythat trays shall be in abutting relatioh'ship'as they pass thefil lingposition, I

or the gaps therebetween suitably' bridged, or otherwise cigaretteswould be spilled on to the conveyor. The trays used in the present caseare such that in the'drawin'gs bridging is shown and will be describedbelow. a

The apertured member 38 above referredto forms the free end of a lever'44 pivoted at 45' on the carriage and isurged into operative engagementwith a conveyor peg 39 by a spring 46. When the forward end of acarriage has passed beneath the fillin position by, for example, aboutone-third ofthe lengthof the carriage the lever 44 is trippe'd'by a :cam'41 at the side of the conveyor track and the carriage stays still for ashort time, the fillin operation still of course continuing. In Figure 1the left-hand carriage has just stopped! The carriage behind thestationary one shortly afterwards come into contact with it and pushesit along beneath the filling position until such time as thesecondcarriage is in the'position where the first was when its lever wastripped; I "hen the lever 44 of the second'oarriage is trippedand itstays still and the'first carriage which is merely pushed by the secondalso stays still. But whilethe first carriage has been pushed bythesec'o'fld, the lever of the first carriage has passed clear or thecam and moved down under its spring so that when the second; carriagestops and the first carriage naturall stops again, the apertured member38 'isready for re-engagement withthe next passing peg of the conveyor;This peg raises the lever'slig-htly onmeeting'it, see lever at righthand-of Figure '2 near sprocket 3,- so that the peg can enter theaperture whereafter the first carriage isagain moved along by theconveyor instead of'being pushed by the second carriage. In this waycarriages passing the filling position can have their trays abutting ifthey are of suitableshape and the filling of one tray starts as that orthe'p'receding one finishes.

The bridging of the gaps between the ends of thetrays-passing thefilling position is effected by twin-levers 52 pivoted at 53 at'that endof each'carriage which is leading duringa filling run, that is, alongthe lower run in Figure 2. The levers which are shaped as shown inFigure 1- s0 that they enter the spaces between the forks of twoneighbouring trays arekept in their proper position duringtransit pastthe filling. station by av cam track 54 in which run rollers 55 attachedto levers :56 depending from the pivot pin 53:see;Eigure 1.- When a fulltray is lifted offi-thecarriage .the levers 52 belonging to the nextcarriage will tilt by gravity to the position shown at the right handend of Figureland clear the tray on said carriage. j V A I idle run,whichis at the back in: Figure 1, and along which the carriagesmovesleftwards as viewed in that figure the levers 52 will continue to hangback, that is in the positionshown-at the right hand of Figure It isnecessary to put the levers .morewithin the confines of the carriageoras'the carriage frornjfthe trays to a suitable collectingposition.

switchesfover to the front or filling run'the levers ,V

"will strike'the tray and carriage which is On o a c the front runmovement is eifectedby a hook shaped" pawl t4 which engages'said roller55 and causes theleve'rs 52 to swing on the pivot 53 anti-clockwiseandin toward the adjacent end of the carriage until'they are tilted in thereverse direction, see left-hand carriage in Figure "2. Continuedmovementof the carriage'causes the roller 55to move out of thecurved-hook, but

as the levers 52-.are comparatively massive and balanced about the pivotthey stay in theback tilted position (that is, as on the leftehandcarriagein Figure 2'): as the carriage switches'on to the frontorfilling run whereupon the roller 55 enters the flared end of the trackand the levers are brought to their proper position. Pins 65 end of therod is coupled at 60,1ii'g1'1're 3, to a pawl '6 I pivoted at .62,Figure 4; When the pawl drops low enough (i. e. no cigarettes) it takesover the edge of a bar 63 which extends from the arm 14 (s'eeFigure 4)and thus prevents the pawl H" from making a working stroke under theaction of the spring 28. The "large spring I25 "isf merely' a safetydevice. It holds two parts which form the connecting rod I6 together butwill yield if a jam occurs. v v

The trays "used on thejdevi ce maybeof 'any shape'as the mechanism canbe madetosuit' any suitable receptacle. 3 l i" 'lhe'i'ipper part ofacarriage is provided with devices such asguardj rail'sor walls 48' suitably shaped to receive andlocate the trays and beneath the trays arearranged shields and guides 59'to direct any tobac'ooor short endsfalling Pivotedfstop platestt cause the tobacco to icol- "lect on'theguides and when a carriage is on the idle run (right hand of'Figure'3)the stop plate can be li'fted so that the tobacco slides into a box'orthe like; Y

' In the specific example given wherefairly small trays are used; ithappens 'that'their capacity is moderate (about 1500 cigarettes), it isnot necessary to vary the'conveyor speed at the time of transition oftwo abutting or neighbouring receptacles, respectively into and out ofthe filling position. Where large, deep trays are used a j'variablespeedgear'may be used for driving the conveyor on the lines of that describedin British patent specification No; 549,8'78;' As it isnecessary tosupport the chain of the conveyor to prevent sag, a guide rail'50,Figure 3,- conforming to its path is'fixed beneath the cha-in'whieh issupported on the rail by pegs or feet 5| pro- "jeeting from the chainand riding on the rail.

Conveniently these pegs are integral with the carriage engaging pegsabove-described.

In operating the device the conveyor is started as soon ascigarettes'areready andthe carriages move as above described with traysabutting or close and bridged where theypass'the'filling position andwith the' carriages spaced apart on the other run of the conveyor whichis more remote frornthe' cigarettemachine. The operator removes filledtrays which'are-then usually taken to an inspection table Where they aresupported on, a turntable to enable the ends-tdbe inj spected, Emptytrays areput'on carriagesirom which full ones have beenremoved ahdtheprec ess is vcontinuous subject to the controls described which stopthel'convey'or' when the supply fails or when the cigarette machinestops.

It willbe seen-that by thisinvention the conveyor-and track can. besmaller than in cases where atray is carried along straight runs of atrack and round the ends thereof in the conventional manner and thewhole mechanism is much more compactjthan existing collecting mechanism.

We claim: I v

1. Cigarette pollecting mechanism of the kind referred to comprisingsupportcarriages for receptacles, an'endless conveyor moving in asubstantially horizontal path and having two straight runs, one passingbeneath a filling station, av guide track forcarriages adjacent saidconveyor, coupling means connecting each carriage to said conveyorwhereby the carriage is drawn along said track, and a switch device'forswitching a carriage moving in one of saidruns to the other of saidrunsby a reversing movement, so that the leading end of a carriage onone run becomes the trailing end on'the other run, said switch devicecomprising an abutment associated with the track and positioned forengagement by the carriage toarrest the leading end of the carriage,said abutment being so located relatively to the point of connectionbetween carriage and conveyor that continued conveyor movement swings orslews the carriage about said fulcrum onto the other run. l

2, Cigarette collecting mechanism as claimed in claim 1 comprisingfiller, members movable with the carriages and adapted to fill gapsbetween the adjacent ends of neighbouring carriages so that a smoothcontinuous cigarette receiving surface is providedbetween twoneighbouring carriages passing the filling position.

3. Cigarette collectingmechanism as claimed in claim.2 wherein a fillermember comprises a lever pivoted on a carriage and having a flat topwhich extends from the flat upper surface of said carriage to thesimilar neighbouring surface of a preceding carriage and a cam followerattached to said lever and running in a cam track thereby holding saidmember in the operative position while said carriages are passing thefilling position. 7

4. Cigarette collecting mechanism as claimedin claim 3 wherein saidlever is arranged to swing on its pivot to move its flat top away fromthe carriage to which it is attached when the pre: ceding carriage isremoved from the mechanism, comprisingv means for causing said lever toswing back to its former position before the carriage is switched on tothe run passing the filling position for the purpose described.

5. Cigarette collecting mechanism as claimed in claim 1, comprisingfiller members movable with p the carriages and adapted to fill gapsbetween the adjacent ends of neighboring receptacles so that a smoothcontinuous cigarette receiving surface is provided between twoneighboring receptacles passing the filling position. v V

6. Cigarette collecting mechanism of the kind referred to comprisingsupport carriages for receptacles, an endless conveyor moving in asubstantially horizontal path and having two straight runs, one ,passingbeneath a filling station, a guide trackfor carriages adjacentsaidconveyor, coupling means connectingthe central portion of eachcarriage to said conveyor whereby the carriage is drawn along saidtrack,.and a switch ,device for switching a carriage moving in-one .ofsaid runs to the other-of said runs by a reversing movement. so that theleading end of a the other run, said switch device comprising anabutment associated with the track and, positioned for engagement) bythe leading end 0t carriage to retardtheforward movement'of that end ofthe carriage, whereby continued conveyor movement swings or slews thecarriage about said fulcrum onto the other run.

7. Cigarette collecting mechanism of'the kind referred to comprisingsupport carriages for receptacles, an endless conveyor moving ina'substantially horizontal path and having two straight runs, onepassing beneath afilling station, a guide track forcarriages adjacentsaid conveyor, coupling means connecting the central portion of eachcarriage to. said conveyor whereby the carriage is drawn along saidtrack, said coupling means comprising a plurality of pegs onsaidconveyor, and an apertured member on each of said carriages forreceiving a conveyor peg, and a switch device for switching a carriagemoving in one of said runs to the other of said runs by a reversingmovement, so that the leading end of a carriage onone run becomes thetrailing end on the other run, saidswitch device comprising an abutmentassociated with the track and positioned for engagement by the leadingend of carriage to retard the forward movement of that end'of thecarriage, whereby continued conveyormovementswings or slews the carriageabout said fulcrum onto the other run.

8. Cigarette collecting mechanism of the kind referred to comprisingsupport carriages for receptacles, an endless conveyor moving in asubstantially horizontal path and having two straight runs, one passingbeneath a filling station, a guide track for carriages adjacent saidconveyor, coupling means pivotally connecting each carriage at a pointsubstantially midway of its length to said conveyor, wherebythe carriageis drawn along said track, and a switch device adjacent the end of eachrun for switching a carriage said abutment being so located relativelyto the point of connection between carriage and con- 'veyor thatcontinued conveyor movement swings or slews the carriage about saidfulcrum onto the other run.

' 9. Cigarette collecting mechanism of the kind referred to comprisingsupport carriages for receptacles, an endless conveyor moving in asubstantially horizontal path and having two straight runs, one passingbeneath a filling station, a guide track for carriages adjacent saidconveyor, coupling means pivotally connecting each carriage at a pointsubstantially midway of its length to 'said conveyor, whereby thecarriage is drawn along said track, and a switch device adjacent theendof each run for switching a carriage moving inone of said runs to theother of said runs by a, reversing movement, so that the leading end ofa carriage on one run becomes the trailing end on the other run, eachswitch device comprising an abutment associated with the track andpositioned for engagement by the carriage to arrest the leading end ofthe carriage, said abutment being so located relatively to the point ofconnection between carriage and conveyor that continued conveyormovement swings or slews the carriage about said fulcrum onto the otherrun, and stationary means adjacent said 5 filling station for engagingand releasing said coupling means as each carriage moves into positionbeneath said filling station, whereby each carriage remains in fillingposition until moved beyond such position by the succeeding carriage. 102,070,917

DESMOND WALTER MOLINS. FELIX FREDERIC RUAU. SYDNEY ALFRED NICHOLS.NORMAN WALTER JACKSON. HARRY WILLIAMS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 662,709 Clay Nov. 27, 1900719,890 Shaw Feb. 3, 1903 1,023,103 Basman et a1. Apr. 9, 1912 Perry eta1. Feb. 16, 1937 2,266,786 Mitchell Dec. 23, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 549,877 Great Britain Dec. 11, 1942 549,878 GreatBritain Dec. 11, 1942

